Catch up on all of our super phat Extraordinary Recaps for HBO's "Insecure"

Remember that time we rounded up a bunch of winners and did a dope recap for each episode of the second season of HBO's Insecure? That was fun. In case you missed it, as watch for the first time or rewatch to relive all of Kelli's best moments, here are eight hella awesome walks down Memory Lane past Issa's awkwardness, through Molly's messiness, around Lawrence's aimlessness, alongside everybody's poor choices. It's a party. 

Be sure to listen and subscribe via iTunes, SoundCloud, MixCloud, Stitcher, or wherever you receive your podcast blessings. And if you want to help us continue being Excellently Black via brand new biweekly flavor in your ear, mosey on over to our Patreon page to keep the party going. You da bess.

Vamos.

An Extraordinary Recap: Insecure - "Hella Great (Season Two Premiere)" (Feat. Tonja Renee Stidhum)

In our inaugural episode of An Extraordinary Recap, we're joined by writer/director, "Wing Chick" series creator, and Cinema Bun Podcast co-host Tonja Renee Stidhum to dissect the season premiere of HBO's "Insecure". Best Buy shirts sold separately.

More Tonja: Cinema Bun Podcast | Wing Chick Series | Instagram | Twitter

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An Extraordinary Recap: Insecure - "Hella Questions" (Feat. Monique Judge of The Root)

In latest installment of An Extraordinary Recap, we're joined by your favorite writer's favorite writer, the illustrious Monique Judge of The Root to discuss the ongoings of the second episode of the second season of HBO's Insecure, "Hella Questions." 

More Monique: Twitter | Web | The Root

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An Extraordinary Recap: Insecure - "Hella Open" (Feat. Evette Dionne Brown of Bitch Media)

In latest installment of An Extraordinary Recap, we're joined by White Feminism's archenemy Evette Dionne Brown of Bitch Media to discuss the ongoings of the third episode of the second season of HBO's Insecure, "Hella Open." 

More Evette: Bitch Media | Twitter | Instagram

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An Extraordinary Recap: Insecure - "Hella LA" (Feat. Panama Jackson of Very Smart Brothas & Law Ware)

In the latest installment of An Extraordinary Recap, we're joined by our beige brother from another Panama Jackson of Very Smart Brothas and writing ass writer Law Ware to discuss the latest and greatest in of the fourth episode of season two of HBO's Insecure, "Hella LA." 

More Panama: Twitter | Very Smart Brothas

More Law: Twitter | Writings at Very Smart Brothas | Writings at HuffPo

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An Extraordinary Recap: Insecure - "Hella Shook" (Feat. George M. Johnson)

In the latest installment of An Extraordinary Recap, we're joined by Broadway Black Managing Editor and chicken fried scribe George M. Johnson to discuss the latest and greatest in of the fifth episode of the second season of HBO's Insecure, "Hella Shook."

More George: Black Gifted and Whole | Twitter | Black Gifted and Whole Facebook | HIV Equal | The Body

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An Extraordinary Recap: Insecure - "Hella Blows" (Feat. Dr. Joy Harden Bradford of Therapy For Black Girls)

With so much to unpack in this episode, we felt it was only right to bring in a therapist. So thankfully, Dr. Joy Harden Bradford of Therapy For Black Girls was up for the job. We dissect Molly's comfortability with the uncharted territory of an open relationship, Issa's "hocation" possibly meeting its abrupt end, and did Lawrence just realize he's an Affirmative Action hire? Like we said, it's a lot. So enjoy our recap.

More Dr. Joy: Therapy For Black Girls | Twitter 

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An Extraordinary Recap: Insecure - "Hella Disrespectful" (Feat. The Brown Liquor Report)

With all the chaos and turmoil in this episode, you might need a drink or a seven. But since we're fresh out of bartenders, we brought along our extended fam DJ BlackShah, The Count, Jas Hands, and B. Fierce, better known as The Brown Liquor Report, to help us drink away the pain. So pour yourself something to drink and partake in our latest "Insecure" recap.

More The Brown Liquor Report: Web | SoundCloud | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

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An Extraordinary Recap: Insecure - "Hella Perspective" (Feat. Dr. Joy Harden Bradford of Therapy For Black Girls & Law Ware)

The season finale hath finally arrived. And to celebrate this momentous occasion, we brought back fan favorites Dr. Joy Harden Bradford of Therapy for Black Girls and philosopher/writing ass writer Law Ware for the ride. So enjoy as Law breaks down the anatomy of a sidekick, Jay fails miserably at recognizing closure, Dr. Joy considers exes imaginary friends, and Alex is a proponent of gratuitous sex.

More Dr. Joy: Therapy For Black Girls | Twitter 

More Law: Twitter | Writings at Very Smart Brothas | Writings at HuffPo

That time Jay stopped by The Cinema Bun Podcast to discuss "War For The Planet Of The Apes"

Once upon a time (over the weekend), Jay joined Berook and Tonja to talk about the new film, War For The Planet Of The Apes and then magic happened. 

Cinema Bun Podcast: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Envy Through Binoculars: A Chat With Anxiety

It’s a typical day, my finger skating over the smartphone screen in a deft and rhythmic scroll. I pause every now and then, tapping that infamous heart, a cyber head-nod of appreciation.

And then.

AND THEN.

I see them. Who is them? Them, like the elusive “they,” is generic. You never know exactly who “they” are, so much as what “they” represent. Same difference, here. In this case, “them” is accomplished, successful, doing-the-damn-thang, killing the game, slaying, living the dream, decorating their best life with YAAAAAASSSSS-tinsel…

Everything I’m yearning and striving to be. Everything I’m not.

And right on cue, in the off-Broadway rendition of “Worst Timing Ever,” that bitch named Anxiety slides onto stage-right-on-time-ho.

Then, at the speed of a fiery stage light, the dialogue begins:

~~ * ~~

A message from Anxiety...

Anxiety: Well, shut the front door wide open, it looks like you need yet another reminder of why you’re not good enough. Shit, not even good. You ain’t enough!

Me: I…

Anxiety: Look at them! They’re on all the lists! Canoodling with all the celebrities! Have all the fans! Getting all the likes! Building all the followers! Gaining all the VIP access! Colored with all the blue checks! Shaded with all the GREEN checks! And you, sir?

Me: I ain’t no s --

Anxiety: -- Looks like you’ve “procrast’d” one too many “nations,” sis! And even when you do put in the work and put yourself out there, your reach is dust. DUST, I say! And what do you have to show for it?? A pile of demolished pints of ice cream?! Pshaw! PEE-shaw!!

Me: *crawls into self-hatred abyss*

~~ * ~~

This inner-convo curls its slimy fingers around my neck and lifts me up into a Noob Saibot-level chokehold. Oxygen becomes an unreachable luxury. I fall deeper and deeper into the worrisome wormhole. Every so often, I recite my mantra, “Comparison is the thief of joy.”

Sometimes, I believe it. Other times, it fades into a mist like a mirage. Anxiety is louder, bolder, and more persistent.

Anxiety: You’ll never be them.

Me (shaky): I don’t…want to be them. I’m me. There’s only one me.

“You ain’t worth shit,” I tell myself. Or is it Anxiety? Who knows, they have the same damn husky voice.

All I know is, it’s a forever fight to stop listening.

Tonja Renée Stidhum is a screenwriter/director with cheeks you want to pinch...but don't (unless she wants you to). She is made of sugar and spice and everything rice...with the uncanny ability to make a Disney/Pixar reference in the same sentence as a double entendre. She is the co-host of the Cinema Bun Podcast and creator of the series, Wing Chick.

More Tonja: Twitter | Instagram | Cinema Bun Podcast